Get your certificate of employment on time: COE request letter, sample COE and DOLE's 3-day rule
DOLE says employers "must also provide a certificate of employment within three days after the employee asks for it." Here's the request letter to send, a follow-up if it's late, and a sample COE to check yours against.
COE request letter template
Replace every line in [brackets]. If you need your salary on it, ask for it in the letter.
Send it to HR by email, so the date you asked is on record.
Still no COE after 3 days? Send the follow-up sample below and keep HR's reply.
Subject: Follow-up on my certificate of employment request - Ramil Ortega
Dear Mr. Santos,
I'm following up on my request for a certificate of employment, sent by email on October 1, 2026. I haven't received it yet.
DOLE Labor Advisory No. 06, Series of 2020 says the employer shall issue a certificate of employment within three (3) days from the time of the request. Could you please send it by October 9, 2026, or let me know if you need anything else from me?
My details: Production Assistant, Warehouse Department, January 2024 to September 2026.
Thank you, and I look forward to your reply.
Best regards,
Ramil Ortega
ramil.ortega@example.com | +63 900 000 0000
Sample certificate of employment (what HR issues)
What a standard COE looks like, so you can check yours: your name, job title, dates and the work you did, signed by HR on company letterhead.
Example only. Liza Fernandez is an invented person, and every detail is made up.
This is to certify that Ms. Liza Fernandez was employed by ABC Trading Corp. as an Accounting Assistant from June 1, 2023 to August 31, 2026.
As an Accounting Assistant, she prepared supplier payments, recorded daily collections and helped with the monthly bank reconciliation.
This certification is issued upon the request of Ms. Fernandez for whatever legal purpose it may serve.
Issued this 3rd day of September 2026 in Pasig City, Philippines.
Andrea Garcia
HR Manager
andrea.garcia@example.com
What your employer has to give you, and by when
DOLE Labor Advisory No. 06, Series of 2020 says:
"The employer shall issue a certificate of employment within three (3) days from the time of the request by the employee."
On our reading, the 3 days count from the day you ask, so ask by email to keep the date on record.
The same advisory defines a COE as a certificate "specifying the dates of an employee's engagement and the termination of his/her employment and the type or types of work in which he/she is employed". It adds that "an employee whose employment is not yet terminated may also ask for a Certificate of Employment." So on our reading, you can ask while you still work there, and a standard COE shows your dates and your work. If you need your salary on it, ask for it in your request.
DOLE repeated the rule in a news release on 21 January 2026. It says workers who don't get their COE on time can call DOLE Hotline 1349, Monday to Friday from 6 AM to 10 PM, or email hotline1349@dole.gov.ph. The advisory says a COE dispute "shall be filed before the nearest DOLE Regional/Provincial/Field Office which has jurisdiction over the workplace".
This is general information, not legal advice. Your company may have its own steps, like a clearance form, so ask HR what they need from you.
How many days does my employer have to give my COE?
Three days. DOLE Labor Advisory No. 06, Series of 2020 says the employer "shall issue a certificate of employment within three (3) days from the time of the request by the employee." On our reading, the 3 days count from the day you ask, so ask by email to keep the date on record.
Can I get a COE while I'm still employed?
Yes. The advisory says "an employee whose employment is not yet terminated may also ask for a Certificate of Employment."
What's on a certificate of employment?
On our reading of the advisory, your dates of employment and the type of work you did. It usually also has your job title, on company letterhead, signed by HR, like the sample above.
What's a COE with compensation?
A COE that also states your salary. A bank, lender or embassy may ask for one. Ask for it by name in your request, as in the sample above.
What if my employer doesn't issue my COE?
Follow up once in writing. If you still don't get it, DOLE's 21 January 2026 release says you can call DOLE Hotline 1349 or email hotline1349@dole.gov.ph. The advisory says a COE dispute "shall be filed before the nearest DOLE Regional/Provincial/Field Office which has jurisdiction over the workplace".
Is a COE the same as a clearance?
No. A COE shows that you worked there and what you did. A clearance is the company's own checklist that you've returned its property and handed over your work.